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Hotel Dunsmuir (2022)
Cinematography 9.5/10
This is not my genre, but found this title when recalling the motel I stayed in DUNSMUIR, CA in 2019. Startled to find this. Dunsmuir is a nice underrated town well above Sacramento. It's not remote as it appears, but just off the I-5 freeway. Great location choice.
Anyway, the story is a complete mess with holes. Yet I feel it's worth recommending. This is atmosphere horror, not very 'slashy'. A road picture, with ghosts and David Lynch ORBS in tow. Thinking about it, this could fall into the "Manos: The Hands of Fate" universe mixed with a "Twin Peaks: The 2017 Return" episode, yet not too derivative.
What stood out was the fantastic cinematography on such a low budget. The director and DP are from contemporary A-list title visual FX crews, and this must be their pet project. For once I could not tell if it was film stock or digital. Great depth and compositions. It was leagues ahead of many A-list shot movies, which have all gotten dark & flat looking to me. I'm an 80s kid who won't let film stock go. If this was digital, I'm blown away.
The lead actress is quite good, and the supporting cast has their moments. Everyone involved seems enthusiastic about what they are doing. Some of the sound editing choices are weak, in addition to handfuls of other flaws, but was never taken out of this film. Accomplishment is a missed opportunity at greatness. Go in expecting a mood piece, not a horror classic. Video cover art makes it look like disposable streaming content, but it's way better than that.
Look up the crazy history of the actual hotel. It's one of many underground architectural anomalies of the distant past that aren't talked about enough. These submerged structures are everywhere. Honestly they could have done more with the underground setting like Joran Peele's "US" had attempted.
A Deadly Adoption (2015)
Clever forgotten experiment
Not a Will Ferrell fan of his blockbusters. But I really appreciate most of his experimental work from this era. The non-spoiler here is that they never break the "Lifetime format" while including every made-for-TV thriller tripe. So it is a Straight-faced satire that is entertaining on it's own. Fun to watch. You can't help but crack-up at many of the close-ups of Will Ferrell's "straight-face".
Worth seeing, because I cannot think of anything else like it. Until Frequent Collaborator James Franco would also experiment with the genre with the "Mother, may I sleep with Danger" remake.
This is just a recommendation review. Because, none of these experiments were a lasting success, and not on physical media. Anyone who appreciates this Lifetime love letter film should seek out Ferrell's "The Spoils of Babylon" & "The Spoils Before Dying". Both fairly unknown with a big cast. Ferrell also appeared in James Franco's "Zeroville", a 1970's Hollywood love letter which nobody liked or saw for some reason. These little gems all got lost in streaming-era over-saturation.
Maybe the 2023 writer/actor strikes will last forever, and all this "lost content" will premiere again.
Russian Roulette (1975)
Another TUBI find.
Another Well restored 70s film on Tubi: The 2023 answer to the sorely missed VHS rental store.
I've began to like the recently departed George Segal. Appreciate his work in comedy/drama and in this little gem of a thriller. As a 80s kid, I just missed his earlier work, or he didn't leave an impression that he does as an adult. He was in EVERYTHING!
Any film buff will find this worth seeking out. Yes, It's another "Russia Bad" thriller. What got me was not the plot, but it has a number of well crafted scenes that go in a different direction than you would expect. And they made it look easy. The light humor does not come off forced either. If this were a modern movie (and it can easily be remade) it would be a heavy handed, digitally shot, by the numbers stream & forget factory piece with D. Rock Johnson saving the world again.
As much as I enjoyed it, the location, and excellent cast, it seemed longer than the 90 minutes. Nonetheless, a must for 70s thriller seekers.
Yesterday (2019)
Hero tarnishes songs???
So when Jack confesses to the world about 'unknown' John and Paul as the real writers, he possibly made the situation worse. The songs will be tarnished. And Mandela Effected 80 year old John and Paul will not understand Jack's claim - or need the credit. I think the story is brilliant, but there could have been another way out for Jack instead of the grand scale ending. In this new timeline the songs will be neglected or forgotten again. So he accomplished nothing.
Ironically though, a website called "Sage of Quay" makes an obsessive, albeit, credible timeline case theory, claiming that it was impossible for the Beatles themselves to have written all the material they had in that window of time given their rigid schedule in the public eye. Could it be this movie was hinting at something Beatles fans would never want to hear???
Lastly, Jack's admission would of cost many investors millions, and it's pretty well known that well handled and groomed stadium booked rock stars, despite their talents, made a lifetime bargain with some dark figures to secure that spot, so he would likely been "accidentally overdosed" within the next year or so for not fulfilling the devil's contract. At least he wouldn't have died from Cigarettes though!!!
Good movie nonetheless. Good casting!
Copshop (2021)
Dialogue
Big problem when dialogue sounds "written". Worse when the delivery is obnoxious. Embarrassing. Producer and professional Gerard Butler tries to underplay the tired stuck in the 90s wannabe Tarantino dialogue. Gave Smokin' Joe Carnahan one more try, but he has not matured as a filmmaker at all. Every aspect of his films call attention to itself that it is a movie. Or trying to be. Done with him. For me, "The Grey" might be his only small accomplishment.
Scream (2022)
Here's the thing
What's with the "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" ending using the same actress getting offed in a similar way???
Age 48 - Like most post 2000 movies, this has no reason to exist. Even Gail says "I'm going to write about something else". Please do. Scream 96 began the meta trend, which was a lift of "Student Bodies 1981" and Craven's own "New Nightmare". At this point, No more meta or nostalgia p0rn please. We already have the internet and fan culture exhausting us with their Youtube thumbnail "expertise". It's not even fun to satirize fan culture anymore either. The best twist Scream 22 would have been NOT to wink at the camera. Go back to traditional storytelling. The gimmick is far played out.
The good part is that it is actually well made, true to Craven's style.
Like the previous films I can sort of remember, it's yet another who dunnit! The problem with all of the SCREAMS is that the stunt person playing Ghostface never matches the actor. At all!!! They couldn't even get a new 'voicebox actor'. And sorry, The Manson girl cannot physically defeat Doofy (Arquette, A boxer). That stuff just takes me out of the film. This whole series stories are convoluted, at best being fun occasionally for a minute here and there. It's not satirically funny enough, nor is it scary. So it's not for me. Really have a tough time wondering why people like this EXPIRED & EXHAUSTED series.
UPDATE: (So much for my take, The new Scream: "Ghostface takes Manahattan" is loading them in - RIP movies)
Terminal (2018)
Non-demand streaming - talent wasted
Sounded exciting. No reason to be. Yes this positively is a Tarantino wannabe, with garish imitation Blade Runner lighting. Specifically it's like countless wannabe post Pulp Fiction hip crime thriller imitations that followed Pulp throughout the 90's. Thing is I LIKE Noir, some Neo Noir, Simon Pegg, Mike Meyers, and Margot Robbie when she's restrained. Her overacting here will leave you speechless considering her recent past accomplishments. This is not even stylish satiric overacting, just the embarrassing kind. Because what is she satirizing or paying homage to? It's never clear. If that's what this performance was? 1st time 90s film student type filmmaking on a budget, that is dated 2 days after release. Hard to even finish watching. How can this happen?
Leatherface (2017)
Gotta rant, as a lifelong fan of the original.
Number 1 rule of Horror! No origin story. What's this? An origin story. As many said before, and I've said since seeing the amazing 1973 version at a 80's re-release drive-in, it worked because of the mystery, atmosphere, and NO GORE. So basically, Leatherface 17 basically does every single thing the original didn't do to make it the film it was.
Are the filmmakers aware of that? Do they care? Do they know origin stories are bad financial decisions for horror properties? If I were credited exec producer Tobe Hooper (RIP), I would have made sure to pass away before seeing this too. It is a better option. No, really, die before seeing this.
As Scorsese says as he continues to sell out "cinema is dead". This is a mean, inept, nasty, badly overacted at every breath. It has more production value than the 1994 version. Haven't seen all the TC films, but somehow this makes the Matthew Mcconaughey film look like a gem. In an attempt to be relevant, they added forced shock as there is a sex scene taking place on top of a dead body. Lame. And this is a no-no to say subjectively in a review, but there is definitely something wrong with you if you like these kind of movies. And I've seen Henry/Cannibal Holocaust/Serbian Film - don't condone those, but there's a point to them, at least. These statements will make people outraged, but the real fright is, nobody will be outraged that film content like this is normal these days. Worst part is, all the imagination this property can offer is fully drained from this Bulgaria filmed outing.
Lili Taylor tries to underact. To think, she and Stephen Dorff had respectable careers at one time in the 90's, and before. It doesn't get too much lower than ending up in a Z-grade version of a 40 year old horror classic, that goes direct to streaming and forgotten in a few days.
Patriots Day (2016)
Authenticity Issues in History
I like this cast. Very disappointed in all of them for their participation. Yep this is a anti-propaganda review. Check "not helpful" now if you have Stockholm Syndrome.
In 2012-2013, months before the "event", the 1948 Smith Mundt Act was Modernized. It's LEGAL Propaganda. Which means ANY and every story on corporate (state run?) television/film can be scripted according to National Defense. It means Nobody in corporate media will ever be jailed for CREATING news. Since day one of the 2013 event, armchair internet warriors have had an issue with the Bombing and it's authenticity. Quickly "HOAX" titled videos grew in popularity. And anyone taking the time to seek out their claims by reviewing videos will indeed find that Jeff Bauman was wheeled to safety across the finish line TWICE. OR that the Boston Globe STILL (as of April 2017) has the tweet up from earlier that day stating "Officials: There will be a controlled explosion opposite the library within one minute as part of bomb squad activities." Authenticity issues in this event are not a conspiracy, but indeed founded by anyone who cares to look. Who knows who was really hurt?
The movie. Well, it gets worse. Turns out taking civilians cell phones "for our safety" is heroic. Things you are also supposed to learn in this film - If you have issues about the motives or official narrative of 9/11, you are just like the terrorists in this movie. Also kicking in doors, martial law style is good, because someone might be hiding in your pantry without your knowledge. In Patriots Day, Root for the hero, not the zero. Safety first!
By the time the trailers appeared, some people caught on to the actual event's narrative problems, while other people who were hoodwinked by the bombing mainstream narrative thought this was exploitive and in poor taste. So the advertising campaign turned this into a "Die Hard" type genre movie, and hid the actual premise. By then it was too late, and this made a paltry $30 million by begging the public to see it. Earnings were DOA internationally.
All the actors are very good, yet still embarrassing themselves in this tripe filmed Greengrass style mess. At least propaganda movie "American Sniper" was skillfully done, despite it's cringiness. Add "Zero Dark 30" for the "legal propaganda" trilogy. Berg, can do no right with me ever. I'll have to forgive Marky Mark though as Boogie Nights is an all-time favorite. And I'm positive "Patriots Day" is NOT his top 5, and was probably a blackmail gig, because like it or not, movie stars are somebody's property. They HAVE TO sign onto these movies when called upon. Somebody explain what good these "real event" films do for the world?
The Neighbor (2016)
Not Horror - Unfinished film Builds and breaks
Like stunt casting that works. Big points for casting Bill Engvall, veteran comedian who proves himself with the 180 role in a suspense thriller, that teases horror.
In this late review, won't cover what other reviewers have already pointed out. Just some observations that kept this film from being great.
First, you will be reminded of Don't Breathe. Not a rip-off. Suspenseful carefully crafted 1st half, takes a turn for the worst in a ridiculous and rushed 2nd half, complete with sudden convoluted tonal character shifts, and motives that are not sublime, but seem thrown in a rewrite afterthought, day before filming.
An example of a problem here. Troy (Engvall) is allegedly so careful about his secret operation, yet he reveals himself to John (Josh Stewart) before suddenly kidnapping his girlfriend (Alex Escoe) next day, but in scenes later shifts into a conflicted family man who is supporting his boys. He lastly reveals he is only a middle-man in a larger criminal operation that at no time, do we get a hint at what it is, or should care. Because it leads no where. No hidden meaning. Nothing.
Somehow every criminal in this small town setting "knows all"...except when someone is hiding in the next room or escapes undetected, making a lot of cage clanking noise and screaming, just a few rooms away. In the competing film "Don't Breathe", you can't make a sound, but in this film you can break in and out of this house with bolt cutters and yell, and won't get noticed until one of the escapees throws a rock at the side of the house in a lame brained scheme to distract & escape.
Sound awful? Yes. But it does have a crafty 1st half, and good performances. Talented Starry Eyes, Alex Escoe is wasted here in the aforementioned 2nd half disaster. Would love to see how this film turned out, if they actually finished it.
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Doesn't last.
Hate to say, "Pulp Fiction" had brilliant bits, but back in 1994 opening day, had sky high hopes and left with minor disappointment. Solid reasons: excessive pop culture references, Bruce Willis girlfriend, too many awkward slacker supporting roles, far too many homages got distracting.
Watched it 2 weeks ago (2014), and scenes are actually embarrassing from not aging well, specifically the entire Jack Rabbit Slims bit. Juvenile.
For some reason, my Favorite bit is actually the dialogue free long take of Bruce Willis hiking to his apt for the watch, the confrontation, and driving away listening to Flowers on the Wall.
Also, the Blu Ray is too clear. I almost prefer this specific title in VHS or Laserdisc, not digitally cleaned up, more muddy. Harsh light Cinematography is bad, no wonder QT tossed him.
This is dated. The impact is softened, due on some part to it being lifted by 100's of filmmakers. Within the same year, there was Fugitive, Schindler, Shawshank - none of which were as ballsy, but they're not dated, shot great. Even 1984's Repo Man is less dated, similar vibe, more groundbreaking IMO. QT never gives Repo Man's Alex Cox credit, and seemed to take off where Cox left off after being booted from Hollywood.
Chu Chu and the Philly Flash (1981)
Out of circulation
Must be a good kids film. In the mid-80's I watched this CBS broadcast VHS recording several times. For some reason this captivated me. Perhaps because Arkin and Burnett are treasures to watch. I wanted to see this again, but where is it??? It looks like it only had one limited VHS release, and is not even VOD on Warner archives or streaming, nor is it ever mentioned. I believe this received widespread undeserved 1 star ratings in 1981. This deserves more. Maybe it won't hold up, viewing as an adult. I'd like to find this though.
Before Midnight (2013)
2nd was best.
To relate, I'm about 2 years in age behind these two, with less marriages, and art directed a major book. Wish I could say I lived in France or Greece! "Sunset" is easily the best. Found it rewarding Hawke's passions, and years of wondering lead him to his lost love. It was exciting to imagine the 9 years we didn't see. I liked his character after loathing him in "Sunrise", but appreciated the romanticism of travel and "what if?" romance. Now here in the 3rd, Delpy is the annoying one, and this was boring. Perhaps this trilogy accomplished something, because I have mixed emotions about all 3 films over the span of 18 years. It certainly makes me think. Can't bash the film completely. But "Sunset" was the most rewarding, as was the last 1/2 hour of "Sunrise". This didn't have a hook other than the locations. Their bickering wasn't even cute, but really depressing, like when real life love fizzles. Was that the point?
Breakup at a Wedding (2013)
Surprise!
There are too many wedding movies, and found-footage films. However you won't feel labored by the familiarity here. Seems to have a British humor quality to it, following "The Office" type of humor, or a little of "Death at a Funeral".
The cast is quite good. Nobody is trying too hard to be funny, and there are laughs, and even when there isn't it seems to have a charm to it throughout. Don't know what the budget what, but it has tight editing, and good unknown (to me) soundtrack selections. Does not feel like an independent film, but a something of cable or theatrical. Indies are flooding the market, and this one as of this date is lost in that shuffle. Also I love the Drew Struzan "Police Academy" type poster.